Tighter control over pop and candy in schools on hold

The Iowa Beverage Association has convinced state lawmakers to temporarily back off limits on pop and candy sales in school vending machines. A Senate sub-committee has been considering legislation to set state nutrition standards for food and drinks sold during the school day.

But Iowa Beverage Association lobbyist Craig Schoenfeld urged legislators to wait for federal standards. Schoenfeld says they have distributors in border communities near Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota operating in two different school districts and it is an economic issue for those distributors. Local school districts can already impose nutrition standards, but the Iowa Department of Public Health had urged lawmakers to adopt statewide standards.

The department’s nutrition and health promotion bureau chief, Judith Solberg, says she’s disappointed legislators tabled the bill. Solberg says there are some states that have implemented standards "and it’s been successful."

Solberg does praise the beverage industry for working with federal officials on the issue. Solberg says she’s impress with the way the industry has moved along and is willing to make changes. Solberg says she hopes the federal changes come sooner rather than later.